Third Wedding Anniversary!

Tyler and I had a low-key celebration for our 3rd anniversary this year on June 25th. Year one was a trip to Los Angeles, year two a trip to Palm Springs. But alas, Tyler just got a new job and so our plan for a trip to Santa Barbara was dashed (but for an awesome reason of course!).

So Wednesday we slept in, finished parts I and II of the mini-series John Adams, and got ready for the day around 2 pm. We piddled around in Studio City, picking out movies for Tyler (a staple treat) and Pinkberry for me (a staple treat). For those of you who aren't familiar with Pinkberry, it's posh frozen yogurt (original, coffee, or green tea flavored in my case) and toppings. Few choices at exorbitant prices. Very shi shi. But very delicious. Then we headed into Pasadena, our favorite place in Los Angeles. Since we were introduced to the city through the eyes of Pasadena, we feel a collective sigh whenever we make the short trip back. We spent the afternoon seeing The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian at the $2 theater. It was a really enjoyable film (even at 2.5 hours). It was a little too LOTR for us, but such is the risk you take with a movie of fantasy lands and battles. Then it was on to dinner and jazz at Red White + Bluezz, a jazz club that Tyler found and made surprise reservations for us at. Nice dinners out are so enjoyable! I tried something new and got the halibut with asparagus and of course the apple tart for dessert. Like I said, low key, but a nice celebration.

CHICAGOANS: Go see Scott's play!

The Strange Tree Group presents The Mysterious Elephant and the Terrible Tragedy of the Unlikely Addington Twins* 

*Who Kill Him

Running June 18-July 19.

Chopin Theatre: 1543 W. Division.

8 pm Thurs-Sat, 2 pm Sun

tickets: $20

Scott, our very good friend, is in this play and is a part of the Company. And yes, he really plays the french horn. Their plays are phenomenal. We would go see every one if we could. There is no describing them (but really there is, see below). Visit the website and join the mailing list so you know when the next play will be. Photos below by Josh Hawkins.

From the wickedly whimsical imagination of Emily Schwartz, writer of 2007's Mr. Spacky,…the Man Who Was Continuously Followed by Wolves, comes the tale of the horribly unlucky Addington twins and their quest to extract themselves from the all too tragic plot of the play in which they've been currently placed. Throughout the evening Esther and Edward Addington endeavor to triumph over their narrator, raise the dead, showcase a series of terrible events through song, empathize with unusual puppets and rescue a rather large mechanical elephant from the jaws of certain doom. All in under two human hours! Prepare yourself and your familiars to be both amazed and delighted!

Cast
Missus Primm Elizabeth Bagby
Cousin Francis Delia Baseman*
Captain Mandy/Christoph Scott Cupper*
William Stephen Dale
Narrator Weston Davis*
Esther addington Carol Enoch*
Cousin Madeline Jenifer Henry*
Edward Addington Matt Holzfeind
Uncle Lou Bob Kruse
Reverend Pea Tom Mackey
Aunt Ernestine Jennifer Marschand*
Missus Kempt Kate Nawrocki*
Elephant Thomas Zeitner
Production Staff
Playwright: Emily Schwartz*
Director: Carolyn Klein
Producer: Max Wagner
Stage Manager: Amanda Dravecky-Kulczewski*
Costume Designer: Jeremy Floyd
Lighting Designer: Julian Pike*
Set Designer: Galen Pejeau
Music Director: Jackie Jasperson
Songwriter: Emily Schwartz*
Music Arrangement: Tom Mackey
Photography: Matthew Liang-Chaboud
* Denotes Strange Tree Group Company member

the celebration continues!

My friends Karly, Elizabeth, and Naomi took me out for a birthday brunch today. We were going to get Cold Stone, but it was a bit early in the morning and we hadn't had lunch yet (around 11 am), so we opted for Chipotle (right next door) instead. Which I didn't mind, since it's my favorite place to eat and Tyler doesn't care for it. But I have to say that now I feel a bit old. I know most of the people who read this are older than me, so they are thinking that I have no right to say that. But let me explain. I have officially reached the age where my woman friends take me out for lunch. This is what my mother does for her birthday, and while my mother is still young in my eyes, I am still celebrating my birthday in the same way. But I see it as a right of passage. Even if it makes me feel a bit old at a mere 26.

Ella along for the ride, and asleep as always.  But she had vaccines yesterday and was a bit under the weather.
Vegetarian bowl...mmmm.
Elizabeth and Naomi.  (sorry for the poor quality, I accidentally shot them on 1600 ISO)
Me and Karly.

iChat

Last night, Tyler and I iChatted with Kate and Zach Danielson. There's just something so nice about getting to see your friends. I always miss the little things about people that I forget about. Like Zach always wears a silver ring on his thumb. It was nice to see that ring. Their adorable son, Isaac was asleep already so we didn't get to see him, but Kate was quick to put a photo or two up to the screen. I wish everyone I love had this! Hmmm...maybe a mass Christmas gift is in the works.

Jenny's 26th Birthday Celebration!

So June 9 is my birthday. And after a 3 wedding weekend, I knew I'd be tired! Tyler made me breakfast in bed: eggs, toast, hash browns, and bacon with orange juice. I enjoyed my breakfast and opened my gifts from him: a new shirt from Banana Republic (pictured in the Disney photos), a new cd, and a gorilla pod (a small tripod that you can wrap around things) so we could take our own photos without bothering anyone else. See if you can spot said photos in this post. After watching some girly movies, I took a nap while Tyler did a few errands. Then that night it was off to Orange Co. to Anaheim. We saw the Angels lose to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. We have decided we LOVE baseball games. There is something so American about it and it's something we want to try to do more frequently this summer. We had hot dogs, nachos, and peanuts. It's too bad they lost, but it was fun to watch anyway. At one point, the Rays hit 3 home runs in a row. Booo! Tyler got me a sweatshirt so we could be fans together (him with his hat, and me with my shirt).

The stands were packed, but people flooded out after the 7th inning when it was clear that the Angels were going to lose.

After a while we spread out.


Our view was pretty nice!


After the game we stayed at a hotel down in Anaheim for the night. We vegged out with HGTV. Thank God I don't get this channel because I'd never get anything done! The next day it was off to Disneyland. We renewed our annual passes and headed into the park. We had to readjust to the summer crowds. You only get 1 ride per hour in during the summer. We are anxious to use it more frequently during the school year.

Our goal is to hit every ride at Magic Kingdom and California Adventure at least once so we can say we've done everything!  This time around we started with a canoe ride (Tyler's FIRST EVER!).  It was work!  You had to paddle a lot around the lagoon.  But it was a cool day with a nice breeze.

Us outside Aladdin's Castle, which is where we saw the Indiana Jones show.  I know.  It makes no sense, but promotions promotions!

You cannot pass up the opportunity to get your picture taken with Cinderella on your faux birthday!
C for California!

Tyler made reservations for us at the Blue Bayou, the very glitzy restaurant at Disneyland inside the ride, Pirates of the Caribbean.  We both had the Filet Mignon with bernaise sauce, the meal my mom always makes for me on my birthday, so it was such a special treat for me. I was given chocolate mousse for my birthday surprise dessert!

Us at the restaurant!
The ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, viewed from the restaurant.
An outside shot of the restaurant, Blue Bayou.
After we finished our meal, we headed straight for Pirates of the Caribbean.  A view of the restaurant from the ride.  It's all inside, but made to look and feel like you're outside, complete with chirping frogs and crickets.

my cat sleeps funny

Tyler thinks this is hilarious.  And he thinks this every day.  Because at the same time every day, Charlie basks in the sun...upside down.  

joint baby shower

Last night was one of the final gatherings for a particular group of friends and I.  2 out of the 5 of us are moving back to the midwest at the end of June.  So we had to celebrate as soon as possible.  Karly just had a baby and Elizabeth is about to, so we had a small baby shower for them both together. The evening was filled with plenty of food, conversation, and of course gifts for the mother/mother-to-be. We welcomed Isabella Bailey and Savannah Chapman in with adorable clothes and necessities, too. Loads of fun and low maintenance. My kind of shower.

left to right:  jenny, michelle, elizabeth, karly, and naomi.